Hickory, North Carolina: Airport Accessibility And Options

Hickory, North Carolina, is served by the Hickory Regional Airport, which is owned and operated by the City of Hickory. The airport covers 739 acres and has two asphalt runways. It is located just off U.S. 321 at 3101 9th Avenue Drive NW, about three miles west of the city. The airport has a rich history, first opening in May 1940 as the Hickory Municipal Airport with two unpaved runways. During World War II, it served as a pilot training centre for the military. Over the years, the airport has undergone various improvements and expansions, including the construction of a new terminal building in 1960 and the installation of a High-Intensity Lighting system in 1969. Today, the Hickory Regional Airport is a general aviation airport, providing a range of amenities and services to its customers, including free wireless internet access, free parking, and advanced airfield maintenance.

Hickory Regional Airport's history

Hickory Regional Airport, owned and operated by the City of Hickory, is located in Catawba County, North Carolina, three miles (5 km) west of Hickory. The airport covers 739 acres (299 ha) and has two asphalt runways: 6/24, which is 6,401 x 150 ft. (1,951 x 46 m), and 1/19, which is 4,400 x 150 ft. (1,341 x 46 m).

The airport has a rich history dating back to World War II. Hickory Municipal Airport, the predecessor of the current Hickory Regional Airport, opened on May 17, 1940, with two unpaved runways, measuring 2,700 and 3,100 feet long. During the war years, the airport served as a Pilot Training center for the Military. In 1941, Pennsylvania Central Airlines, later known as Capital Airlines, introduced the first scheduled air-carrier service to Hickory, with flights between Norfolk and Knoxville. However, this service was interrupted by World War II and suspended in May 1942.

In the post-war years, the airport continued to develop. In 1947, the Civil Aeronautics Administration established the Hickory Interstate Airways Communications Station on the airport grounds. In May 1950, the City of Hickory took a significant step by contracting for the construction of a north-south runway, known as runway 1/19, with a length of 4,400 feet. This paved the way for the resumption of scheduled air service in August 1951 by Capital Airlines, which continued until August 1952. From 1952 to 1980, Piedmont Airlines served Hickory, offering flights to destinations such as Asheville, Charlotte, and Atlanta.

The airport underwent further expansion and improvements in the 1960s. In 1960, a new terminal building was constructed, leading to the relocation of the base of operations from the south side of the field. This decade also saw the installation of a new High-Intensity Lighting system (HIRL) on runway 6/24 and the construction of a new taxiway parallel to runway 1/19. In 1969, runway 6/24 was extended to its current length of 6,402 feet.

In the fall of 1973, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commissioned an Air Traffic Control Tower at the Hickory Airport, enhancing its capabilities. Despite these advancements, the airport experienced some setbacks, such as the cessation of operations by Delta Connection in 2005, which was the most recent airline serving Hickory.

In December 2011, the City of Hickory took over all Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) operations to ensure uninterrupted general aviation services. The airport continues to serve the Hickory Metro area, offering a range of amenities and services, including a customer-focused terminal building, aircraft fueling, and advanced airfield maintenance.

Hickory Airport's runway and taxiway system

Hickory Regional Airport, owned and operated by the City of Hickory, is located three miles (5 km) west of Hickory, in Catawba County, North Carolina. The airport covers 739 acres (299 ha) and has two asphalt runways, with 70 aircraft based at the airport as of 2022.

The two runways are designated 6/24 and 1/19. Runway 6/24 is 6,401 ft (1,951 m) long and 150 ft (46 m) wide. Runway 1/19 is 4,400 ft (1,341 m) long and 150 ft (46 m) wide. Runway 6/24 has been extended twice and is now 6,402 ft long. In 1969, a new High-Intensity Lighting system (HIRL) was installed on runway 6/24, and a new taxiway with lighting was built parallel to runway 1/19.

The airport has a well-maintained runway/taxiway system, with runway 6/24 overlayed to increase pavement strength. The airport also has a customer-focused terminal building, with airport administration, maintenance, a cafe, rental cars, and a bus service. The terminal building was constructed in 1960, and a new building was built for the general aviation community in 2003. The airport provides a gateway to the world for the Hickory Metro area, with a focus on meeting the needs of customers and providing excellent amenities and services for pilots and crews.

Fixed-base operators at Hickory Airport

Hickory Regional Airport, located in Catawba County, North Carolina, is owned and operated by the City of Hickory. The airport has had several fixed-base operators (FBOs) over the years. FBOs are companies that provide a wide range of aviation services, including ground handling, fueling, hangar space, and maintenance. These services are crucial for both general aviation and commercial airline operations, ensuring smooth and efficient travel experiences.

The first FBO at Hickory Airport was Cannon Aviation, Inc., which operated from the south side of the field in the early years of the airport. In the mid-1960s, Cannon Aviation moved into new quarters next to the terminal building, which had been constructed in 1960. The FBO was then bought by a locally formed corporation, Carolina Airways, Inc., and has since changed owners several times.

One notable FBO at Hickory Airport was Riverhawk Aviation, which was the airport's only FBO for a period of time. However, in 2011, Riverhawk Aviation filed for bankruptcy and was removed as the FBO by the United States bankruptcy court. The City of Hickory temporarily assumed all FBO operations to ensure continuity in general aviation services.

Today, Hickory Regional Airport continues to be served by FBOs, providing essential services to aircraft operators and passengers. The airport is committed to offering the highest level of service, including free wireless internet access, exceptional facilities, free parking, advanced airfield maintenance, timely service, and fuel operations. The airport also houses the Hickory Aviation Museum, showcasing the history of aviation and featuring regular new exhibits and aircraft.

Hickory Airport's control tower

Hickory Regional Airport, owned and operated by the City of Hickory, is located in Catawba County, North Carolina, just three miles (5 km) west of the city of Hickory. The airport covers 739 acres (299 ha) and has two asphalt runways: 6/24, which is 6,401 x 150 ft (1,951 x 46 m), and 1/19, which is 4,400 x 150 ft (1,341 x 46 m).

In the year ending June 1, 2022, the airport had 29,895 aircraft operations, averaging 82 per day, with 83% general aviation, 13% air taxi, 3% military, and less than 1% commercial. 70 aircraft were based at the airport at that time. The airport has an operating control tower from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm daily, providing a gateway to the world for the Hickory Metro area. The tower was commissioned by the Federal Aviation Administration in the fall of 1973.

The airport has a well-maintained runway/taxiway system, with a new taxiway built parallel to runway 1/19 in the mid-1960s, and runway 6/24 overlaid to increase pavement strength. The airport also has a customer-focused terminal building, which was constructed in 1960, and provides aircraft services through the City-operated Fixed-Base Operations (FBO). The building houses airport administration and maintenance, a café, rental cars, a bus service, and the Hickory Aviation Museum.

The Hickory Fire Department provides aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) services, staffing an ARFF truck, Engine 4, with one firefighter 24 hours a day, every day. The airport also has an automated airport weather station (ASOS) to provide weather information.

Airlines that have served Hickory Airport

The Hickory Regional Airport is located in Catawba County, North Carolina, and is owned and operated by the City of Hickory. The airport covers 739 acres and has two asphalt runways. It is not currently served by any commercial airlines, with the most recent airline, Delta Connection, ceasing operations in 2005.

Throughout its history, several airlines have served Hickory Regional Airport. The first airline service was introduced on August 2, 1941, by Pennsylvania Central Airlines, later known as Capital Airlines. This service offered a single Boeing 247 flight each way between Norfolk and Knoxville, but it was suspended in May 1942 due to World War II. During the war years, the airport served as a Pilot Training centre for the military.

After the war, in 1951, Capital Airlines resumed its scheduled service, which continued until 1952 when Piedmont Airlines took over. From 1952 to 1980, Piedmont Airlines operated flights to various cities, including Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, the Tri-Cities Area, and Atlanta. Following airline deregulation in the late 1970s, smaller commuter airline services began operating from the airport, including Atlantis Airlines, which offered up to six daily flights to Charlotte and Atlanta.

In the 1980s, Sunbird Airlines (later CCAir) operated up to 11 daily flights using various aircraft types, including Cessna 402 and Cessna 404, Beechcraft Model 99, and Shorts 330. In 2005, Delta Connection (operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines) briefly provided direct flights to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport before ceasing operations in the same year.

Currently, the airport sees seasonal charters conducted by collegiate athletic teams, with Sun Country Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Freight Runners Express fulfilling these charters.

Frequently asked questions